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04/04/2004 6:01 PM ET
Notes: Yanks wrap it up with tie
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By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com |
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| Bernie Williams hits a double in Sunday's game against the organization's "Future Stars." (David Kadlubowski/AP)
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TAMPA -- The Yankees wrapped up their exhibition schedule on Sunday, playing the organization's "Future Stars" in front of 10,021 fans at Legends Field.
The two teams played to a 3-3 tie, as Jeff Deardorff's RBI single in the ninth inning tied the game for the Yankees. Just three days after returning from Japan, most Yankees players said that they were recovered from the jetlag, a change from the overall feeling of the team on Saturday.
"They were feeling better today," said manager Joe Torre. "Yesterday, they were dragging."
Derek Jeter had an RBI single, while Darren Bragg added a solo home run for the Yankees. John Rodriguez hit a two-run home run in the second for the "Future Stars" team, while Mike Vento doubled in a run in the fourth.
Alex Graman, who will start the year in Triple-A Columbus, started for the Yankees, allowing three runs (two earned) over five innings of work. Paul Quantrill, Tom Gordon, Felix Heredia and Gabe White each tossed a perfect inning.
The game was the final tuneup for the Yankees, who restart their season on Tuesday at Tropicana Field against the Devil Rays. New York and Tamp Bay split a two-game series in Tokyo earlier this week.
After playing an exhibition against Detroit on Saturday and the game against the "Future Stars" on Sunday, the Yankees will head to St. Petersburg on Monday, working out at The Trop.
"They had fun, and that was really my goal. Have fun and get peaked again for Tuesday," Torre said of the weekend. "Tomorrow, we'll go indoors and everybody will realize that this is where we'll play Tuesday night. They're veterans, so I don't think it's going to be a problem. Mentally, they'll be into it."
Sojo leaves team: Luis Sojo left the team on Sunday, flying to Miami following the death of his mother, Cristina. Sojo's mother had been ill for the past month after suffering a bad fall.
According to a team spokesman, Sojo will rejoin the team later in the week.
In Sojo's absence, the Yankees will try to receive permission to allow special instructor Rob Thomson to coach third base. If Thomson is not allowed to replace Sojo, then bench coach (and former third-base coach) Willie Randolph will coach third.
Who's in center? Torre has not decided who will play center field on Tuesday, though he did say that both Bernie Williams and Kenny Lofton would play against Tampa Bay.
"My guess is that they'll both be in the lineup," Torre said. "That's my feeling right now."
Williams went 1-for-2 with two walks in the exhibition game on Sunday, playing seven innings in center field.
"He looked good. He's ready to go," Torre said. "I'm sure he could use a few more at-bats, but we'll have to do that during the season."
Whatever Torre decides to do, he expects his veteran players to understand and respect his decision.
"The only thing that you hope is that the players understand that they're all qualified," Torre said. "They've all been big players, but there's only room for so many people. I'll try to keep everybody as sharp as I can."
Travis Lee
/ 1B
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Lee passes test: Travis Lee tested out his inflamed left shoulder on Sunday, throwing for the first time in a couple of weeks. Lee reported no problems, starting the clock on his return.
"He was fine," Torre said. "We're looking at maybe 10 days or so."
Torre indicated that he would not use Lee in the outfield this season, as he doesn't want to take any chances of Lee injuring his shoulder.
"I could put him out there to catch it," Torre said, "but trying to convince him in a game situation not to throw it is another situation."
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Jon Lieber / P
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Next step for Lieber: Jon Lieber will get back up on a mound next weekend for the first time since March 13, as he continues to rehab his sore groin.
Once Lieber starts throwing, he will begin a program designed to get him off the disabled list within a month.
"It will be very calculated from there on out," Torre said. "I don't see him being ready before May. That's safe, as long as we continue to improve."
Maz the manager: Torre will be watching Sunday night's opener between the Red Sox and Orioles, not only to watch the Red Sox start their season, but to see Lee Mazzilli -- Torre's former player and first-base coach -- make his managerial debut.
Torre spoke with Mazzilli twice this spring, and he believes that his old friend will do a solid job in his new position.
"He's very excited about what he's doing," Torre said. "He's young and energetic, and he's going to make the mistakes that we all do. Over the long haul, he's going to be a good manager." Mark Feinsand is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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Luis Sojo / 3B
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